Seatless subway cars to debut in Seoul on Wednesday

SEOUL - Seatless subway trains will debut in Seoul this week, the city's subway operator said Tuesday, as part of efforts to relieve overcrowding during rush hours.

Seoul Metro said one carriage on each of the Subway Line 4 trains will run without seating during the morning and evening rush hours, starting Wednesday, reported Yonhap news agency.

The operator said No. 3 carriages on the Line 4 trains will be designated as seatless in consideration of the congestion level and other factors.

It noted additional supports and handles were installed in the seatless carriages to prevent fall-related accidents.

As of the third quarter of last year, congestion levels inside subway cars on Line 4 reached 193.4 per cent of their accommodation capacity during the busiest hours, Seoul Metro said, adding it will consider expanding the seatless subway carriages to other subway lines. - BERNAMA